Wisconsin included in Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium

Nine people in Wisconsin and Illinois have been infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. According to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, health data indicates that pre-packaged salad greens produced by BrightFarms, Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois are the source.

Health officials say four people in Wisconsin, and five in Illinois became sick between June 10 and June 15. There has been one hospitalization.

“At this time, DHS urges consumers not to purchase, eat, or serve BrightFarms branded pre-packaged salad greens,” DHS Communicable Diseases Supervisor Ryan Wozniak said in the release. “Consumers and food service establishments who have BrightFarms salad greens with any ‘best-by’ date should not eat, serve or sell any of the recalled products.”

DHS advises consumers to check their refrigerators for any leftover product and throw it away. They say produce drawers and refrigerator surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly.

The salad greens are sold in disposable plastic containers at various grocery stores, and are labeled with the phrase “fresh from Rochelle, IL.” BrightFarms salads from the IL farm are distributed to at least these four states: Illionois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

BrightFarms products associated with a voluntary recall(link is external) are currently:

50/50 Spring & Spinach
Butter Crisp™
Harvest Crunch®
Lakeside Crunch
Mighty Romaine™
Nutrigreens™
Spring Crunch
Spring Mix
Sunny Crunch®

Additional products may be added to the recall list of the FDA website(link is external) as this investigations continue. CDC and DHS will provide updates.

According to the DPS, Salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria that are spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or by direct or indirect contact with fecal matter from infected people or animals. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal pains, fever, and vomiting can start six hours after eating a contaminated product and last for several days. Bloodstream infections can occur, but are rare, and can be quite serious in young children and older adults. Most people recover from salmonellosis on their own, but some may require extra fluids to prevent dehydration.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and local health departments are involved in an ongoing investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium.